Brussels rules on serving wine by the glass?

December 24th, 1994

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Myth: Brussels is responsible for a new law forcing hotels and restaurants to serve wine by the glass only in quantities of 125ml or 175ml, or multiples. Wliatsmore each glass has to be lined, with a government-approved stamp, or be served with a government-approved stamped optic.Source: Financial Times (24 December 1994)

Response: There is absolutely no European legislation which would have any effect on the amounts of alcohol to be served in pubs, bars and so on. This is entirely a matter for the UK Government. The relevant UK legislation is in fact the Weights and Measures (Various Foods) (Amendment) Order 1990, which came into effect on 1 January 1995.

Note for editors:This story ought not be confused with EU legislation on units of measurement, due to come into effect in the UK this year (see our myth series no. 107). This deals with the way that units of measurement are expressed, and marks the move away from the imperial to the metric system.

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